Fort Riley, KS vs Holton, KS

The cost of living difference between Fort Riley, KS and Holton, KS is dramatic. Holton is 35.5% cheaper than Fort Riley, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Fort Riley has a cost index of 89 while Holton sits at 65, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Fort Riley is $1,283/month compared to $780/month in Holton — a 65% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Holton is more affordable at $143,400 median vs $222,100.

Median household income in Fort Riley is $52,823 compared to $51,390 in Holton (+2.8%). Fort Riley does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Fort Riley spend roughly 29.1% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Holton.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (55°F vs 55.8°F). Holton receives more rainfall at 36.5" per year compared to 32.2" in Fort Riley.